The 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League witnessed challenges and difficulties, and competition between the teams lasted till the final round.

It is certain that the teams will seek to build on their positives and address areas for improvement in order to be better in the new season (2024-2025).

In successive episodes, we review each team’s performance in the 2023-2024 Expo Stars League.

AL SADD

Al Sadd were crowned as champions of Expo Stars League in the penultimate round (Week 21).

Al Sadd had the strongest attack in the season (65 goals) as well as the strongest defence as they conceded only 21 goals, proving to be the deserved winners of their 17th league title in history. They finished with 49 points (15 victories, four draws and three defeats).

Al Sadd had led the standings initially, but fell behind in some weeks until they were finally back on top and stood there despite the difficulties that the team faced. Their determination and persistence to overcome obstacles helped them pull it off.

The Wolves started off with a victory over Umm Salal and ended the competition with a loss to Al Rayyan. But the last-round defeat did not affect them, having annexed the title in the previous round by beating Al Shamal 4-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Al Sadd began preparing for the season with a foreign camp under Spanish coach Juanma, who then parted ways with the team due to personal reasons. The club management subsequently announced the appointment of Portuguese coach Bruno Miguel.

Bruno continued until national coach Wesam Rizik was given charge in November, 2023, and his first match in charge in the Expo Stars League was against Al Shamal in Week 10 which Al Sadd won 4-0.

Wesam achieved nine victories with Al Sadd, drew three and lost as many – against Al Arabi, Al Duhail and Al Rayyan.

Even as the team’s level fluctuated, Wesam managed to enable his side to sustain the momentum and he could thus win the league title with Al Sadd both as a player and as a coach, a rare distinction.

Al Sadd and Qatar national team star Akram Afif excelled greatly during the season as he emerged as the league top scorer with 26 goals besides giving assists and creating scoring chances.

Akram is considered as one of the best players on the local or Asian scene. He was the Best Player and Top Scorer (eight goals) at the Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

In addition to Akram, a number of players contributed to Al Sadd’s success this season, most notably Algerian star Baghdad Bounedjah, who scored eight goals for the team, Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata, who also scored eight goals, captain Hassan Al Haydous, Boualem Khoukhi, Tarek Salman and goalkeeper Meshaal Barshim.

Al Sadd’s success also came due to the great support from the club management and administrative staff as well their fans. All that resulted in them asserting their supremacy on the league championship for one more time.